Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWSWhich technologies will make aerospace safer and more competitive? And how can new propulsion systems, sustainable materials, and satellite technologies be produced economically? Answers to these questions will be presented by researchers from Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft under the leadership of Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE at the international flagship trade show for aerospace, ILA, from June 10–14, 2026 in Berlin.
The international aerospace sector is undergoing a profound transformation: climate protection, safety, and serial-production readiness are becoming the benchmark for future innovations. How application-oriented research translates these requirements into market-ready solutions will be demonstrated by Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft experts at ILA Berlin 2026 at two exhibitor booths in the Aviation section (Hall C, Booth 280) and Space section (Hall B, Booth 240). From climate-friendly propulsion to serial spaceflight to satellite-based Earth observation, they will showcase research results that not only enable the industry’s transformation but bring it to reality.
Aviation: Technologies for climate-friendly and cost-efficient flying
At Booth 280 in Hall C, the experts will show how climate-friendly and electrified aviation can succeed—with new propulsion concepts, sustainable materials, and their transfer into serially producible, cost-efficient production processes. A key focus is also high-rate capability—i.e., scalable, robust processes for serial production.
A central topic is electric and hybrid flight. The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits and Device Technology IISB presents power electronics and electric propulsion components—including DC/DC converters with the world’s leading power density, high-voltage distribution systems, and a megawatt electric motor for electric drive trains. The systems address rising demands for efficiency, weight, and safety in electrified aircraft.
This is complemented by demonstrators for fuel-cell-based propulsion. They illustrate how electrical power supply, propulsion, and system integration work together on the path to emissions-light flying.
On the hydrogen-in-aviation focus, the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Applied Materials IFAM presents HYTANK—beyond surface pretreatment and barrier coating—the world’s first flexible, automated machining and assembly line for CFRP hydrogen tanks. The line marks the first step toward future serial production of liquid hydrogen tanks for flight operations and is thus a key milestone for the future of hydrogen-powered aircraft.
How climate protection, lightweight design, and industrial manufacturing can be combined is demonstrated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems IMWS with EcoRudder. The exhibit from the European Clean Aviation project FasterH2 shows an aircraft rudder made from recyclable thermoplastic sandwich structures. A specialized manufacturing process enables very short cycle times and stands as an exemplar of the shift from labor-intensive, single-piece production to serial manufacturing.
Other exhibits include automated manufacturing processes for thermoplastic composite components, digitally supported assembly processes, and data-driven concepts for circular economy and traceability in aircraft manufacture.
Space: From the manufacturing line to orbit
Fraunhofer’s presence at Booth 240 in Hall B centers on technologies relevant to both space itself and Earth applications. Under the motto “Space for Earth,” the experts present solutions in the areas of sensing and communications, materials for extreme environments, as well as security and defense technologies. Their solutions highlight how space-based systems for Earth observation, climate analysis, and crisis prevention contribute to a resilient infrastructure.
For example, the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS demonstrates technologies for a 5G/6G non-terrestrial network base station, enabling future satellite communications to be tested and validated under real orbital conditions—a key for robust network connectivity, precise time references, and stable communications systems.
High-precision Earth observation from space that serves people and the environment is enabled by the Fraunhofer IOF (Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Mechanics) with its optical assemblies for the ESA mission CO2M, which will measure CO2 emissions worldwide in the future. The institute’s globally unique dispersers will enable high-resolution, quantitative measurements of greenhouse gases and are expected to provide reliable data for climate protection and monitoring.
Also presented is the compact spaceborne spectrometer Rainbow developed by Fraunhofer IOF for resource-efficient smart farming; it is optimized for use on small satellites and for determining soil moisture and nutrient availability.
Also in focus for Fraunhofer experts: the industrialization of spaceflight through robust systems, reliable quality, and economical manufacturing—also in small- and medium-series production. Numerous exhibits illustrate how additive and ultra-precise manufacturing processes enable the transition from individual pieces to reproducible spaceflight components.
A Mission Wall and a virtual satellite visualize the full spectrum and continuity of the spaceflight competencies consolidated within Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE for Earth and beyond: from materials science and processes, ground- and space-based sensing, to Earth observation technologies, secure communications, and the protection of space systems up to planetary missions.
Innovation needs implementation
The future of aerospace will be decisively shaped by the industrial and digital implementation of innovative technologies. Electrification, hydrogen technologies, satellite communications, and Earth observation deliver their full value only when they are scalable, robust, and economically manufacturable in industrial production. Digitization, for example via cyber-physical systems, makes processes safer, more controllable, and more economical.
The ILA 2026 presentation underscores Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s role as a valuable innovation partner for aerospace research. The showcased technologies combine scientific excellence with industrial feasibility—from idea to application.
In addition to the solutions shown, the Speakers Corner at Booth 240 in Hall B offers space for short talks and discussions on current research topics, technological trends, and future applications. Complementing this, Fraunhofer researchers will contribute further technical papers and discussion formats, for instance on the ILA Stage AVIATION of the German Aerospace Industries Association (BDLI).
An overview of topics and formats can be found at:
- Fraunhofer at ILA Berlin
- Fraunhofer AVIATION & SPACE (aviation-space.fraunhofer.de)
(May 26, 2026)